Kara and Joel in Clarendon Hills, IL

For Kara and Joel, choosing a wedding venue was a bit of a conundrum because the bride, a Chicago-based wedding planner and floral designer, had worked at most of the venues in town. "I was worried I'd feel like I was working on my own wedding day," says Kara. However, the country club in Clarendon Hills, which she visited with her family while growing up, felt just right."I've always appreciated the formality and tradition of the venue," says the bride. The tented reception featured black and white patterned linens, votive candles hanging from the ceiling, and a single chandelier suspended above the head table. Tables were topped with lush arrangements of roses, peonies, orchids, lemons, and foliage.